Active Community: Message List - Question about Shin Splints....

Re: Question about Shin Splints....

soniaroo — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:57:08 GMT

I had diagnosed shin splints when I started running 10 years ago. I had it in both legs and believe it was because I was doing too much. I found that the skipping I was doing in my kick boxing class made it 10 times worse. I ended up having acupuncture which did help and also I had to get orthotics made as I overpronated (or something like that).

I have just started the c25k again years after stopping but am sticking to the programme this time and not overdoing it and am feeling great. It is very easy to get a bit too enthusiastic when you first start out, you have to take things slowly until your body can cope with the strains you are putting on it.

Sonia

Re: Question about Shin Splints....

5KKaren — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:02:14 GMT

Hi, learn to really listen to your body. I have been running steadily for the last 8 months and have completed 10 5Ks, 1 8K and 1 10K. I was having some shin pain in October, took it easy for a while and the pain went away. I ran a race this past Saturday and my leg completely gave out at mile 2.5 and I had to be helped to the finish line by a friend. I went to the doctor yesterday for x-rays and I'm told I have a stress fracture. I had been training for the Myrtle Beach half marathon in February and I think I pushed myself too far, too fast, too soon. Now I have to use crutches for the next 4-6 weeks until it heals. That is a really big blow to not be able to do something you really love now.

Re: Question about Shin Splints....

shomeurmail@yahoo.com — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:29:51 GMT

Thank you lenzlaw.

I saw my PC yesterday and took some xrays. He pretty much just prescribed what I've been doing this past week..Ice, ibuprofen, and no running. This time for the next ten days.

I have not been one to push myself to run faster. Even when my boyfriend would force me to. Speed has never been my goal but strength and endurance. When I run my 1st marathon, it will most definitely to triumph in my personal goal to do so.. Not to get a 'good' time. My new found love of running has changed my outlook in life and have given me a tremendous push to be more confident and enjoy life and nature.

I used to be a ballet dancer and have trained in different types of dance genre, so I'm pretty much in tune to the placements of every part of my body when I'm running. I will now only use the treadmill for walking and not running.

I will check out the links you posted so that I can further educate myself on the proper mechanics of running. Thanks again.

Re: Question about Shin Splints....

sarabiz — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:51:33 GMT

I've got to agree with Len- I just don't see how running on a softer, more cushioned surface would increase your chance of shin splints, unless there were other factors involved. I do avoid the treadmill myself, but that's because I have a tendancy to push myself too hard on it, thus increasing my chance of injury. Plus, its really, really boring! =)

I still worry about how fast you built up your miles though. While its great that you're in good enough shape to do that kind of milage, your joints, bones and muscles just aren't used to that kind of pounding yet. I know how tempting it is to bump up your milage more than 10% every week. There's nothing worse than running 6 miles and stopping when you feel like you could easily run a few more...except for maybe losing a few months of running due to injury.

Re: Question about Shin Splints....

lenzlaw — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:27:32 GMT

Here are a few articles on shin splints. It's doubtful the treadmill had anything to do with it, unless it felt easier and you decided you could go faster. Then it would be the going faster, not the treadmill per se.

http://www.ubsportsmed.buffalo.edu/education/shinpain.html

http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/shin-splints.php

http://www.watfxc.com/TF/TF%20Education/shin_splints.htm

Len

Re: Question about Shin Splints....

shomeurmail@yahoo.com — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:09:16 GMT

Hi sarabiz.

Well, I started off running 3 miles on my first week since I was able to run that distance but just not 4 times/week..And besides, the shin splints symptoms didn't arise until a week and a half ago when I started running 4 miles on the treadmill @ the gym on 3 different days...

I've always run outdoors on trails mostly and around a lake w/ a 5 mile diameter. I don't go very fast for I usually run at a 12min/mile pace which is how I was able to build up running longer without putting stress on my legs. I have seen a doctor just today and the pain has subsided alot. They took xrays and will let me know the result in a few days. I haven't run for a full week now and will continue to do so for the next ten days. I will concentrate on just doing some elliptical workouts and walking on the treadmill.. When I am better, I will most definitely not run on treadmills for I do believe it is what caused my injury.

Will only be doing my cross trainings and weight training on it from now on. Thanks for the response and concern.

Re: Question about Shin Splints....

sarabiz — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:53:02 GMT

0-11 miles in 8 weeks??? This is really, really not a good idea. Just because your cardio-vascular system can handle running that long does not mean that your musculoskeletar system can.

Whenever I've had shin splints, its usually due to mild overuse going downhill on pavement. Just avoiding that and sticking to trails has helped. However, your symptoms sound like they might be worse than shin splints, so i'd really recommend seeing a doctor. And no more 11 mile runs for a while!

Re: Question about Shin Splints....

jho_417 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:26:27 GMT

I had self diagnosed "shin splints" for two months.. when I saw the Dr it was actually a stress fracture. See someone....

Re: Question about Shin Splints....

lenzlaw — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:12:49 GMT

You definitely should see a doctor, preferably sports-medicine if possible. You want, hopefully, to eliminate stress fracture as the problem. Shin splint pain will usually go away a short time after exercise, or during exercise. It can be hard to tell the difference between shin splints and stress fracture. And continuing to exercise through shin splints can lead to stress fracture. Proper diagnosis will take a bone scan or MRI.

Let me add that this is almost certainly an overuse injury. Doing an 11 mile long run only 8 weeks after starting running falls in the "too much, too fast, too soon" category.

Len

Re: Question about Shin Splints....

J.T. Nielsen — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:51:40 GMT

Here's some great practical things you can do. One: use ice on your shins immediately after exercise should they flare up. Two: use a "noodle" roller for self massage by rolling across your shins in an upright sitting position utilizing your body weight to apply downward massaging pressure. Three: swith to a recumbant cycling machine until you can run again. Of couse, this is all preceded by the opinion of a sports related doctor to rule out any serious conditons.